One Chance (Hogan Brothers 1)

“I lied when I told you the threat was because of my job,” Anthony confessed. She wasn’t surprised because, after the text message, she felt like it was personal.

“I figured as much.”

Running a weathered hand down his face, she saw regret flash in his eyes before he went on. “There are so many more lies, Sophia. I don’t even know where to start.”

“From the beginning is always a good idea,” Nox suggested, his voice cold. Noticeably unwilling to be as forgiving as her. Not that she could blame the man.

Evidently impatient, Braxton snapped. “Out with it, Anthony. She needs to know.”

Be understanding. Be forgiving. But do not be a fool.

Rebecca’s not your mother.

Her father’s words kept playing over and over in her mind as Lennox drove them to Fort Collins to see the observatory. He wanted to take her home; she wanted to forget the horrors of her life.

It made so much sense. All the hatred the woman felt towards Sophia, the insults. Everything.

Her mother couldn’t have children. Her father wanted at least one.

They’d settled on a surrogate.

When her father had begun falling in love with the surrogate, Rebecca became bitter and angry. Irrational.

Anthony and Braxton recently learned that even though there were complications during the birth of Sophia and the surrogate had died, she’d also been poisoned, inducing an early labor. They didn’t say it, but she suspected they believed her mother had been behind the poisoning. Probably to make sure her father was stuck with the nasty woman. Making them both endure a life of hatred and anger.

Sophia was torn between feeling pity and anger at the other woman. Imagining the man she married, the man who was supposed to pledge his love and life to you, falling in love with a woman who was giving him the one thing you couldn’t, wouldn’t have been easy. The pain her mother must have endured watching as her husband slowly drifted away must have gutted her.

Looking over at Lennox, she couldn’t begin to imagine what it would be like to lose him that way. Would he want the same thing if she were unable to have children? Would he love her less? He didn’t love her now, so she didn’t know why she was even thinking about it.

“Whatever that look is about, it needs to stop,” he told her, his eyes never leaving the highway.

“What would you do?” she asked quietly.

Nox did look at her then, his eyes understanding. “I’d give you whatever you wanted.”

She smiled wanly at him. “Do you think she’s behind the threat?” It had crossed her mind on more than one occasion since learning about it.

“I don’t think it’s something to be ruled out.” His answer wasn’t committal, and that bothered her. “Soph,” his quiet voice drew her attention. “You and me, we’re different. We’ll be different. Something was wrong with your mom long before you came along.”

“I know,” she murmured.

She looked up through the windshield as the purr of the engine was cut. Realizing they were at their destination, she looked over to him. “I’m so tired of being sad. Feeling useless. I want something more, Lennox.”

She wasn’t shocked when he unbuckled her and pulled her onto his lap. His hand entwining her hair in a tight grip, the other hand clenching her thigh under her dress. “You’re not useless, Soph.” When she attempted to interrupt him, he spoke right over her. “I’m going to make you happy, and if it kills me, I’ll give you everything you’ve never dreamed of, but I already have.” A lone tear cascaded down her cheek. “You, Soph, are my dream.”

Their mouths clashed in a kiss so intense she felt it to her toes. All her pain, all her fears flew out the window as he made her believe his passionate words. She wanted it all with him. She was ready to experience it all with him.

“I want it all, Lennox,” she muttered against his lips.

“You’ll get everything you’ve ever imagined, sugar.” His desire matched her own.

“Take me home.” Her bold demand had him pulling away.

“You sure?”

“Yes.”

It was all the assurance he needed as he re-buckled her, and they left without going into the observatory.